For the first time in my teaching career, last year before school started I decided to visit all the children in their own homes. My friend who teaches at Near North Montessori in Chicago has been doing it for years and suggested it as a way to further increase the trust bond between school and home before the year begins. It ended up being one of the most valuable experiences to draw upon during the rest of the year.
It amazed me midyear, when I would ask a three year old if they remembered when I visited them in their home and they would recall an incredible amount of detail: what they showed me, what we played with, the snack we had... True stories about my visits to their homes ranked way up there on the scales the whole year round.
This year I am in the midst of home visits and enjoying them so much. I feel so privileged to be welcomed into the homes of the families that will join our community this year. The reception of the children when I arrive is always a surprise- from the little boy who was so excited that for five minutes he raced across the hallways screaming, to the little girl who sat across from me in her living room and didn't say a word for the first 15 minutes. All the visits end with a feeling of increased closeness and fill me with anticipation for working alongside these little guys in the coming year.
3 comments:
Wow! That is a FANTAASTIC idea. Your students are very lucky to have you! I imagine it helps in SO any ways - for the little ones, you and the parents. I'm impressed..never heard of this before. It must take lots of time, but obviously worth it with the bucket loads of benefits it brings. (:
Hi Susanne :)
Home visits have been on my mind! I just read this article (http://www.montessori.org/story.php?id=209) & Hug was blessed with a home visit at the beginning of our school year from his (Waldorf) teacher. It was a special morning & helped foster a greater connection to be sure.
Good on you - I think that is both a wonderful opportunity & a blessing :)
I think that is a wonderful idea, it is something about the Steiner approach that I love, because it deepens the connection between school and home, and must give the teacher such a good insight into where the children are coming from.
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